Donald Ray Gurley

Obituary: Donald Ray Gurley, 84, of Kannapolis went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, November 30, 2016 at Liberty Lane Hospice House, Salisbury following a period of declining health. Donald was born August 31, 1932 in Cabarrus County, NC a son of the late James Arthur Gurley and the late Mary Agnes Bost Gurley. He was a lifelong resident, attending Kannapolis City Schools and graduating from JW Cannon High School in 1951. He married Martha Ellen Poston in 1954. Donald served in the US Navy on the USS Kermit Roosevelt during the Korean Conflict. Following his wartime service he worked as a maintenance electrician for Hoeschst-Clenanese from 1959-to 1989. He loved his family and eating biscuits and gravy, fried chicken and chocolate meringue pie. Donald attended He's Alive Church in Kannapolis. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his brothers: James and Kenneth Gurley and his sister, Colleen Woodward. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Martha Poston Gurley; his three sons, Bryan Keith Gurley and wife Deborah of Kannapolis, Arthur Ray Gurley and wife Loucindy of Salisbury, and Donald Mark Gurley and wife Lisa of Kannapolis; his 9 grandchildren and his four great-grandchildren. Donald is also survived by his brother, Paul Gurley and wife Lorene of Gold Hill and his sister, Doris Hess and husband Terry of Faith. A service to celebrate Donald's life will be held at He's Alive Church at 12:00 Noon Saturday, December 3, 2016 with Rev. John Curran and Rev. Mark Carnes officiating. The family will receive friends until 2:00 P.M. at the church following the memorial service. Interment of cremains will follow at Carolina Memorial Park with military graveside rites. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to He's Alive Church, 1310 N. Cannon Blvd, Kannapolis, NC 28083 or to Cabarrus County Hospice and Palliative Care, 5003 Hospice Lane, Kannapolis, NC 28081 or to Liberty Lane Hospice, c/o W.G. "Bill" Hefner VA Medical Center, 1601 Brenner Avenue, Salisbury, NC 28144. Whitley's Funeral Home is serving the family of Mr. Gurley.
Visitation: Saturday, December 3,2016 At He's Alive Church Following the Memorial Service Until 2:00 P.M.

Service: Memorial Service 12:00 Noon, Saturday December 3, 2016 He's Alive Church

Interment: Carolina Memorial Park Kannnapolis, NC